Lion's Paw Scallop (Juvenile or worn fragment)
Phylum: Mollusca, Class: Bivalvia, Order: Pectinida, Family: Pectinidae, Genus: Nodipecten, Species: Nodipecten nodosus · Pectinidae (Scallop family) · Bivalve; single valve (likely the upper/left valve); fan-shaped with heavy ribbing
Species
Nodipecten nodosus
Shell Type
Bivalve; single valve (likely the upper/left valve); fan-shaped with heavy ribbing
Family
Pectinidae (Scallop family)
Size
Approximately 0.75 to 1.0 inch. This is a very small juvenile or a beach-worn central fragment; adults can reach 6 inches.
Color & Pattern
Pale orange to peachy-pink with whitish highlights. The color is somewhat muted/chalky, likely due to sun bleaching and wave tumbling. Natural specimens are often vibrant deep red, purple, or bright orange.
Rarity
Uncommon as a whole, large shell on beaches; Common as small, worn fragments in North Carolina.
Habitat
Found in marine environments, typically on sandy or rocky bottoms and rubble fields. They range from shallow subtidal waters to depths of 150 feet.
Geographic Range
Western Atlantic, ranging from North Carolina south to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
Description
A thick, heavy-walled scallop shell characterized by strong radial ribs adorned with large, hollow, knob-like nodes. The texture is coarse and sub-circular. This specific specimen is a beach-worn juvenile valve showing the characteristic 'knuckles' or nodes that give the species its name.
Key Features
Heavy radial ribs (typically 7-9) and distinctive bulbous nodes or knobs on the ribs. The shell is much thicker and heavier than a typical Atlantic Calico Scallop.
Collector Value
Low in this condition (estimated $1-$3). However, large, 'Gem' quality whole specimens with both valves attached can sell for $50 to $150 or more depending on color intensity.
Condition Notes
Fair condition. It is a beach-worn valve with significant erosion on the edges and ears (auricles). The nodes show some 'pitting' from tumbling in the surf. Collectibility grade: Fair/Reference piece.
Interesting Facts
The Lion's Paw is one of the most sought-after scallops by collectors due to its size and vibrant colors. Unlike many scallops, it does not swim much as an adult, instead recessed into the substrate or attached to rocks. Historically, they were prized as decorative items and even used in Heraldry.
Ecological Role
Filter feeder, straining plankton from the water column. They are preyed upon by sea stars, large crabs, and octopuses. They are not currently listed as endangered but are sensitive to water quality.
Similar Species
Atlantic Calico Scallop (Argopecten gibbus), which is thinner and lacks the heavy nodes, or the Northern Scallop (Placopecten magellanicus), which is much smoother.
Beach Finding Tips
Look after heavy storms or offshore swells in North Carolina. Search the 'shell wash' at low tide. Their weight often causes them to settle in troughs just behind the primary tide line.
Notes
Holden Beach, NC